Guv orders probe in viral video showing dancing, naked inmate

MISAMIS Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano has ordered an investigation over the “viral” video showing an inmate of Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail (MOPJ) being forced to dance naked with his underwear tucked on his mouth inside the prison cell on Friday, February 14.

Emano also wants MOPJ officials investigated even as he questioned why inmates hold mobile phones inside the detention facility which is highly prohibited.

The inmate in the three-minute video was identified as the suspect in the rape slay of Mae Ann Mancao in Tagoloan town on February 10.

Capitol spokesperson Carlo Dugaduga identified the three other inmates responsible for recording the video and uploading it on social media as Al Kenneth Bayutas, Jelmer Consolation, and Henrich Bosalan.

Dugaduga said the cellphones were confiscated while the three were locked up in an isolation cell since Saturday.

“Bag-ong sulod sa selda si Villanueva. Sauna kulata ang abuton sa bag-ong piniriso sa selda pero giwagtang na mana pero ang tradition sa initiation nagpabilin mao tong ilang gipahimo kang Villanueva ang pagpasayaw nga hubo nga iyang brief naa sa iyang baba sama sa iyang gihimo sa iyang biktima sa Tagoloan,” Dugaduga said.

Dugaduga said even if there are policies inside a prison cell, it is not proper to bully a fellow inmate.

MOPJ warden Dominador Tagarda, for his part, said those involved in the incident will be thoroughly investigated and appropriate sanctions will be imposed.

Tagarda also urged social media users to refrain from sharing the video.

“Gikasubo nato nga mismo ang panghitabo naghatag kaulawon sa atong bilanggoan kay kita nagpatuman dinhi sa religious program diin makahatag sa ila sa kabag-ohan sa ilang kinabuhi,” Tagarda said.